• 424: [Formed.] Finding God in Desolation: Pastor Loren Covarrubias on Spiritual Growth
    Jan 22 2025

    This week, we’re diving deep into the theme of spiritual maturity with someone who has profoundly shaped my life: Pastor Loren Covarrubias. Pastor Loren has been a mentor and guide to me since I was a young boy, making this conversation incredibly personal and meaningful.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • Why people don’t mature and the obstacles that hold them back.
    • How to develop spiritual perception to navigate life’s complexities.
    • The dangers of mishandling the prophetic and its impact on spiritual growth.
    • Why seasons of desolation are often where the Lord does His greatest work in transforming our hearts.

    If you’ve ever felt stuck in your faith or wondered how God works during life’s most challenging seasons, this conversation will provide clarity, encouragement, and hope.

    Episode Links

    • Show Notes
    • Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here!
    • Invite me to speak at your church or event.
    • Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 423: [Formed.] Are You Tricking Yourself? Breaking the Illusion of Control: Tyler Staton on How Pain and Suffering Transform Our Faith
    Jan 15 2025

    This week, we delve into the critical need for a robust theology of suffering in our postmodern culture of self-help and self-directed spirituality. Joining us is Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland. Tyler, having personally navigated the profound experience of losing control amidst his battle with cancer, offers invaluable insights. We'll explore how God works through our pain, inviting us into a deeper understanding of His redemptive purpose. Furthermore, Tyler will address the concerning trend of how we've often misconstrued the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to become a tool for self-aggrandizement rather than a source of genuine transformation.

    Episode Links

    • Show Notes
    • Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here!
    • Invite me to speak at your church or event.
    • Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 422: [Formed.] The Hard Truth About Maturity: Fr. Ronald Rolheiser on Dismantling Self-Sufficiency and Embracing Struggle
    Jan 9 2025

    Are you stuck in frustration, wondering why growth feels so hard? This week, Fr. Ronald Rolheiser joins us to uncover the hard truth about maturity: it often leads us into the wilderness. But here’s the good news—those wilderness seasons can purify your faith, dismantle harmful self-sufficiency, and transform your emotional and spiritual health.

    In this episode, we’ll discuss:

    • Why maturity requires us to let go of control.
    • How mystery becomes our greatest ally in navigating life’s challenges.
    • The role of disillusionment in spiritual growth.
    • What bitterness does to our emotional and spiritual health—and how to break free.
    • Fr. Rolheiser’s reflections on life, faith, and wisdom from nearly 80 years of experience.

    This conversation will inspire and equip you with the tools to embrace your wilderness season and experience breakthrough in your faith journey.

    Episode Links

    • Show Notes
    • Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here!
    • Invite me to speak at your church or event.
    • Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 421: [Formed.] Stuck in the Cycle: Why You Can't Heal & How to Break Free
    Jan 1 2025

    This week, it's you and me. We’re unpacking how bitterness, cynicism, and unresolved pain can trap us in a cycle of frustration and blindness to God’s work in our lives. Drawing from Luke 4 and Mark 6, we’ll explore how the condition of your heart affects your ability to heal and mature. If you’re feeling stuck, weighed down by offense, or questioning why breakthrough feels out of reach, this conversation will give you practical tools and biblical wisdom to take the next step toward transformation. And I want to start our series here, because, in the weeks that follow, I want you to receive from our guests with an open mind and heart, unencumbered by issues like bitterness, cynicism, and unresolved disappointment.

    🎙️ Joining us this month in our series: Father Ronald Rolheiser, Tyler Staton, Loren Covarrubias, and Jenn Johnson from Bethel Music.

    Episode Links

    • Show Notes
    • Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here!
    • Invite me to speak at your church or event.
    • Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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    44 mins
  • NEW SERIES: [Formed.] Starts This Week!
    Dec 30 2024
    Hey friends, happy new year! I'm excited to share that coming to the podcast this week and running for the next several weeks is Formed, our annual series on spiritual formation. This week, I'm kicking off the series with a teaching on "How a Hardened Heart Blocks Healing and Maturity." Next week, Father Ronald Rolheiser joins us to discuss "Why Maturity Leads Us Into the Wilderness and Dismantles Self-Sufficiency." In two weeks, Tyler Staton teaches us how to lose the illusion of control. On January 22, one of my heroes, Pastor Loren Covarrubias joins us to talk about how to develop spiritual perception and why few believers pursue maturity. And on January 29, Jenn Johnson from Bethel Music joins us to talk about the value of worship in our formation journeys. No doubt, this will be a powerful series. See you on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
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    1 min
  • 420: Rod Dreher on The Religion of Victimhood: How the Therapy Gospel of “Self” Will Ruin Your Life
    Dec 18 2024

    This week, we delve into the hidden forces shaping our world. Veteran journalist Rod Dreher, author of "Live Not by Lies," joins us to discuss the dangers of soft totalitarianism disguised as niceness and comfort. We'll explore censorship, the silencing of dissent, emotional fragility, and the impact of secularism and therapy on our spiritual lives. This conversation is a deep dive into the complex issues affecting our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

    Episode Links

    • Show Notes
    • Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here!
    • Invite me to speak at your church or event.
    • Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • 419: Why Finding Meaning After Loss is Not Finding Reasons for the Loss, The Power of Words to Direct Our Souls, Why Resilience is Staying in the Tension and How to Find Peace When There is No Safe Zone with Stephanie Duncan Smith
    Dec 11 2024

    This week, we delve into a profound exploration of the power of words and the resilience of the human spirit. Joining us is Stephanie Duncan Smith, a gifted writer and editor who has a unique perspective on the complexities of faith and human experience. We’ll discuss the often-overlooked power of language to shape our souls and the importance of embracing uncertainty. Stephanie will share insights on finding peace amidst life's storms, and how to navigate the challenging terrain of grief and loss, particularly during the holiday season. Whether you're seeking solace, inspiration, or simply a deeper understanding of the human condition, this episode is for you.

    Episode Links

    • Show Notes
    • Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here!
    • Invite me to speak at your church or event.
    • Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • 418: Bob Goff on Looking for Virtue in a Culture of Hate and Contempt, Tearing Down Ego Scaffolding that Keeps Us Stuck and Alone, Living a Life of Accuracy, and How to Not Be Creepy in Your Interactions with Others
    Dec 4 2024

    This week, we're diving deep into the human experience with the incredible Bob Goff. In this episode, Bob will teach us how to live a more fulfilling life by exploring the power of virtue in a world often consumed by negativity. You'll also learn how to transcend the limitations of ego and embrace a life of authenticity and connection. We'll uncover the secrets to living with accuracy, a principle that can transform your relationships and your overall well-being. Whether you're seeking inspiration, practical advice, or simply a moment of reflection, this episode offers a wealth of wisdom from one of the world's most inspiring thought leaders.

    Episode Links

    • Show Notes
    • Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here!
    • Invite me to speak at your church or event.
    • Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins